Mother cats, or queens, have so many kittens because in a natural setting few babies survive. With predators, disease, parasites, accidents and birth defects, a queen is fortunate to have any kittens make it to adulthood. Even in a cattery setting with a vetted, well-fed queen, kittens struggle to beat the 20% mortality rate. Unfortunately with orphan kittens, it\u2019s even higher.<\/p>\n
In almost every medical situation, you\u2019ve been instructed to call or go to the vet. That\u2019s because issues you might not even notice in a mature cat can quickly kill a bottle baby. Some conditions can become deadly overnight or even within hours.<\/p>\n
Be proactive to protect the kitten and your own pets. Hold a weigh-in each morning. Her weight should increase a little each day. It should never decrease. Don\u2019t let her come in contact\u00a0with your pets unless they\u2019re vaccinated and healthy. And always wash your hands before and after handling the kitten.<\/p>\n
Despite the angelic face, she could have already come in contact with deadly diseases and parasites. You don\u2019t want your pets giving her diseases either. When she\u2019s three weeks old, ask your vet about worming and vaccinations. Since she can\u2019t benefit from her mother\u2019s immunity, you need to give her every other advantage, that includes earlier than usual vaccinations.<\/p>\n
Signs that your kitten could be in trouble:<\/em><\/p>\n Here are the most common health problems that threaten your baby.<\/p>\n Diarrhea<\/strong> Checking for dehydration:<\/em><\/p>\n Constipation<\/strong><\/p>\n Your kitten can become plugged up as a result of dehydration. (Yes, we\u2019re back to that again.)<\/p>\n Add a little more water to the formula, or if you\u2019re weaning, to her gruel. It could also be a symptom of an intestinal blockage or foreign body. If she doesn\u2019t pass a stool in 48 hours, you definitely need to see a vet. If she begins to vomit, take her to the vet immediately.<\/p>\n Upper Respiratory Infections (URI)<\/strong><\/p>\n Kittens are more susceptible to disease than adult cats, but orphans are even more at risk for upper respiratory infections. Don\u2019t treat her with over-the-counter medications, as many contain aspirin or acetaminophen, which are toxic to cats. As soon as you notice sniffles or sneezing, take your orphan to the vet. You can\u2019t begin treatment too soon with kittens so vulnerable.<\/p>\n URIs are very contagious, so if you have other cats, keep the sick kitten contained in a bathroom. With these three diseases kittens usually experience:<\/p>\n Just like human colds, kitten colds must run their course. Vets treat the symptoms. Your kitten may receive antibiotics to fight bacterial infection. Kittens might also need subcutaneous (under the skin) fluids. Because congested kittens cannot smell their food, they won\u2019t eat, and your vet may recommend force feeding or tube feeding. A vaporizer will help loosen nasal gunk.<\/p>\n Fleas<\/strong> Only use flea treatment labeled safe for the age and size of your kitten. You can safely remove fleas from kittens younger than eight weeks by combing them thoroughly with a very fine-tooth flea comb.<\/p>\n It can be difficult to see the little booger if the kitten has dark or dense fur, but just because you can\u2019t see them doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re not feasting on her blood. Give the baby a bath with kitten-safe shampoo. Once you eyeballed the fleas against the suds, pull them out using the flea comb.<\/p>\n In this devastating condition, a kitten who appears healthy begins to rapidly fade away for no apparent reason. This usually happens within several weeks of birth. Causes range from a virus to a birth defect to blood incompatibility with the mother. These kittens act healthy one day, then stop nursing, lose weight and die. FKS is more common among pedigreed cats than the kitty population at large.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be deceived by all the warm, fuzzy feelings (and there are a boatload of them), there may be some tearful moments. Sometimes the kittens are just too weak, or sick to make it. But if those terrible moments come, just remember, that without you she couldn\u2019t even have made it that far. You at least gave her a chance.<\/p>\n\n
\nDiarrhea isn\u2019t a disease. It\u2019s the umbrella description for runny or watery poop. It can be caused by internal parasites, bacteria (or lack of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract), or viruses like a panleukopenia (distemper), feline leukemia, or a corona virus. More mundane causes include: change in diet, stress, or overfeeding. If she\u2019s experiencing a mild case of diarrhea but acts happy and alert, try adding more water to the formula or cut back on the amount you feed her.<\/p>\n\n
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PARASITES<\/h3>\n
\nIf you found her outside, your kitten may arrive with a thriving population of fleas. While fleas only measure 2mm, and individually only consume a small drop of blood, collectively an infestation in an orphan kitten can cause potentially fatal anemia. Fleas will also give your kitten tapeworms. So the poor little thing is attacked from outside and from within.<\/p>\nFading Kitten Syndrome<\/h3>\n